...suspected to be involved, resulting in the high profile arrest of Greek MEP and European Parliament Vice President Eva Kaili.

The tiny but influential oil-and-gas rich Gulf country is alleged to have attempted to bribe MEPs with "large sums of money" and "substantial gifts" - including their assistants - in what media reports described as an expansive influence-peddling operation.

Kaili and three other officials remain in police custody amid a continuing investigation. Police announced late last week that they initially recovered 600,000 euros in cash in the raids. Politico in follow-up reported that in total, "The investigation has uncovered at least €1.5 million in stacks of euros stashed in a suitcase, a briefcase and even a paper bag." So it seems Qatari representatives were waltzing into offices and handing out literal bags of cash.